Likely mode of death may be a consideration

BMJ 1995;311:1505 (2 December)

Letters

Likely mode of death may be a consideration

EDITOR,--Klim McPherson uses net loss of or gain in years oflife as a criterion in discussing the balance between the risksand benefits of hormonal supplements in postmenopausal women.¹Another criterion, however, is the mode of death. A patientmight choose to risk an earlier, but "easy," death from coronaryheart disease rather than a later, but possibly lingering andtraumatic, death from breast cancer.

Retired general practitioner 3 Birch Court, 8 Woodside GrangeRoad, London N12 8SW

Jules Alterman